Thursday 28 February 2008

27/02/2008


Inshore Fisheries

Companies involved in regulating fishing and fish protection:

- Cornwall Sea Fisheries

- Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) - controlled by DEFRA

- Environment Agency

- Police (Comes under wildlife Crime)

the Recreational Angling Market is huge, creating 19,000 jobs for the sector and £1 billion is spent on the sport each year. Kayak fishing growing more popular. Recreational Anglers are often friends of those concerned about the environmental welfare of the see as it is important that the fish stocks are plentiful and healthy. Recreational anglers are fairly useful for research as they give good information on catches and the quality which can be useful for monitoring health of fish stocks.

A selection of minimum size catches for fish and shellfish:

Fish: (cm)

Bass 40
Black bream 23
Cod 35
Conger eel 58
Flounder 25
Grey Mullet 20
Herring 20
Mackeral 20
Plaice 27
Pollack 30
Red Mullet 15
Red Bream 25
Whiting 27


Shellfish: (cm)

Edible Crab
- Male 16
- Female 15
Lobster (carapace) 9
Scallop 10
Spider Crab
- Male 13
- Female 12
Whelk 4.5
Oyster 2.5
Cockles 2
Mussels
- Farmed 4.5
- Pickers 5.5


There are 2 different types of fishing styles; rod fishing and net fishing. Each of these methods has its own set of ruls and regulations set up by the environment agency.

Rod fishing legislation includes rules regardingrestrictions of seasons, especially regarding particular fish and restrictions of bait types. For the Fal estuary, there are particualr restrictions regarding Bass, Salmon and Sea trout. For example, 'Rod and line angling for Bass from a boat and hand lining for Bass are prohibited in the Fal area from 1 May to 31 December' (order by DEFRA)

Net Fishing has stricter laws regarding particular species of fish, net size and types. the main species targeted in net fishing are Bass, Salmon, sea trout and Sand eel. For example, 'All forms of trawling is prohibited in the Fal area' (Bylaw of the Environment Agency)

If fishing for recreational activities, licences are not needed but laws regarding fishing must be followed, espcially catch sizes. For those wishing to sell their catches, particular licences are needed depending on what is being sold and who to.


There are several agencies committed to ensuring that the sport continues as it is today, ensuring Government policy supports recreational angling . The National Federation of Sea Anglers is one of the biggest supporting agencies, representing 'more than 30,000 sea anglers and 300 angling clubs'. It also claims to work with other related organisations such as Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society (BASS) and Sea Anglers Conservation Network (SACN)


Further Reading:

http://www.nfsa.org.uk/
http://mcaorals.co.uk/
http://www.coastms.co.uk/